Aging is all in your mind. Nature features new research by Dongsheng Cai, M.D., Ph.D., that found the hypothalamus is key to controlling the body’s aging processes. Dr. Cai and his colleagues used a mouse model to track the activity of a molecule that controls DNA transcription and is involved in inflammation. They found that the molecule becomes more active in the hypothalamus region of the brain as the mice aged and that blocking it extended their lifespan. Dr. Cai is professor of molecular pharmacology.